JPH1155447A - Device for inputting image information and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To permit operation environment to be equal to or more than that of a locally connected scanner even as against a shared scanner which is connected to a network by previously inputting an image so as to temporarily store it, executing display to an image request source based on attribute information of the stored image, permitting a user to select the desired image and transferring the selected image to the image request source. SOLUTION: A network scanner device 100 temporarily stores the image which is read with an image reading means 101 and an image attribute in a storing means 102. It is judged which image is to be transferred by a transfer image judging means 107 based on the image attribute when the image is requested from the device 110 of the image request source, the plural images to be transferred are reduced by an image transferring control means 104 so as to transfer them as one screen by which the contents of the images are recognized at a glance, the user selects one of the plural images and the original image of the selected one is transferred. Thus, the network scanner device 100 is conveniently utilized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for inputting image information, and more particularly, to an operating environment for a shared scanner connected to a network that is at least equivalent to that of a locally connected scanner. A possible image information input device and method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There has been a high demand for working in an office, such as inputting image information using a scanner to form a database or reusing it as a document.

Generally, in such a case, there are many applications in which a scanner is connected to a personal computer (PC), and image information is input to the scanner by directly operating the PC or a workstation (WS).

[0004] However, such a mode of use is good when the scanner is occupied by an individual, but a large amount of image /
In applications dealing with documents, there is a high demand that a plurality of users share and use an expensive, high-speed, high-performance scanner.

Conventionally, even in such a case, each user goes to the PC or WS to which the user is connected, performs an input operation, and transfers or retrieves data in some way.
The general usage method is to bring it back to your desk and use it. In recent years, a scanner directly connected to a network has been developed (Hewlett-Packard Company; ScanJet 4Si).

[0006]

However, even when such a scanner directly connected to a network is used, a dedicated application is required on the PC,
There is a problem that a conventional scanner application on a PC cannot be used as it is.

Further, when such a network-directed scanner is used, the attributes of the input image, such as the size and resolution, differ between the time of inputting the image and the time of using it.
If there is a discrepancy in the color density, etc., the scanner must be re-entered. However, there is a problem that it is extremely complicated in terms of usability.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to provide a shared scanner connected to a network with an operating environment equivalent to or higher than that of a locally connected scanner. In addition, as a working in an office, an image information input device that uses a scanner to input image information into a database or reuses it as a document, and satisfies the needs for applications that handle a large number of images / documents. And a method.

[0009]

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, image input means for inputting an image in advance, temporary storage means for temporarily storing an input image by the image input means, An attribute management unit that manages attribute information of the image stored in the storage unit, and an already stored image that is stored in the temporary storage unit is displayed at an image request source based on the attribute information by the attribute management unit. Selecting means for allowing the user to select a desired image from the stored images, and selecting the image selected by the selecting means from the temporary storage means at the time of request from the image requesting source and selecting the image as the image requesting source. An image information input device comprising: an image transfer unit that transfers the image information via a network.

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, image input means for inputting an image in advance, temporary storage means for temporarily storing an image input by the image input means, and storage in the temporary storage means Attribute management means for managing the time information at which the input image is input; and storing the stored image stored in the temporary storage means by the user at the image request source based on the time information by the attribute management means. Selecting means for permitting selection of a desired image from the image processing apparatus, and determining the image selected by the selecting means based on time information by the attribute managing means. An image information input device, comprising: an image transfer unit for selecting and transferring the selected image to the image request source via a network.

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, image input means for inputting an image in advance, temporary storage means for temporarily storing an image input by the image input means, and storage in the temporary storage means Attribute management means for managing the time information at which the input image is input; and storing the stored image stored in the temporary storage means by the user at the image request source based on the time information by the attribute management means. Selecting means for allowing a user to select a desired image from among the input time of the image selected by the selecting means based on the time information by the attribute managing means; Is determined in accordance with a preset criterion, so that it is selected from the temporary storage means and transferred to the image requesting source via the network when the image requesting source requests it. Image information input device is provided which is characterized by comprising a that image transfer means.

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image input means for inputting an image in advance, and a document for identifying a type of a document for each input image information from the input image information by the image input means Identification means; temporary storage means for temporarily storing the image input by the image input means; and attribute information of the image stored in the temporary storage means and type information of the document identified by the document identification means. An attribute management unit, and a user selects a desired image from the stored images by a user at an image request source based on the attribute information and the document type information by the attribute management unit based on the stored image stored in the temporary storage unit. Selecting means for permitting the selection, and determining the image selected by the selecting means based on the document type information by the attribute managing means. Image information input device, characterized in that provided with the image transfer means for transferring via a network by selecting an image requesting from the temporary storage means when the request from the image request source is provided.

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image input means for preliminarily inputting an image, and a document for identifying a type of a document for each input image information from the input image information by the image input means Identification means; temporary storage means for temporarily storing the image input by the image input means; and attribute information of the image stored in the temporary storage means and type information of the document identified by the document identification means. An attribute management unit, and a user selects a desired image from the stored images by a user at an image request source based on the attribute information and the document type information by the attribute management unit based on the stored image stored in the temporary storage unit. Selecting means for permitting the selection, and covering the image selected by the selecting means based on the document type information by the attribute management means. The document, the cover, or the document with the specific mark added thereto is determined according to a preset standard. An image information input device, comprising: an image transfer unit that transfers the image information through the image information input device.

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image input means for inputting an image in advance, and an input user for identifying an input user at the time of image input by the image input means for each input image information Identification means; temporary storage means for temporarily storing the input image by the image input means; attribute information of the image stored in the temporary storage means and identification information of the input person identified by the input person identification means. An attribute management unit that manages the stored image stored in the temporary storage unit, and a user who requests the image from the stored image based on the attribute information and the identification information of the input user by the attribute management unit. Selecting means for allowing the user to select the image, and determining the image selected by the selecting means based on the identification information of the input person by the attribute managing means. The image information input device, characterized in that provided with the image transfer means for transferring via the network the on demand from the image request source selected from temporary storage means to the image request source is provided.

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image input means for inputting an image in advance, an input mode instruction means for instructing an input mode at the time of image input by the image input means, Temporary storage means for temporarily storing an input image by the input means, attribute management means for managing attribute information of the image stored in the temporary storage means and input mode instruction information instructed by the input mode instruction means, Based on the attribute information and the input mode instruction information by the attribute management means, the stored image stored in the temporary storage means is selected by the user at the image request source from the stored image with predetermined output mode instruction information. Means for allowing the user to perform the operation, and input mode instruction information and image data by the attribute management means by using the image selected by the selection means. A pixel information conversion unit that converts pixel information based on the output mode instruction information when the instruction contents of the input mode instruction information and the output mode instruction information are different by determining based on the output mode instruction information from the request source; Image transfer means for selecting a desired image from the temporary storage means at the time of a request from a request source and transferring the selected image as pixel information converted by the pixel information conversion means based on output mode instruction information to the image request source via a network An image information input device characterized by comprising:

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, image input means for inputting an image in advance, input mode instructing means for instructing an input mode at the time of image input by the image input means, Temporary storage means for temporarily storing an input image by the input means, attribute management means for managing attribute information of the image stored in the temporary storage means and input mode instruction information instructed by the input mode instruction means, Based on the attribute information and the input mode instruction information by the attribute management means, the stored image stored in the temporary storage means is selected by the user at the image request source from the stored image with predetermined output mode instruction information. Means for allowing the user to perform the operation, and input mode instruction information and image data by the attribute management means by using the image selected by the selection means. When the input mode instruction information and the output mode instruction information are different from each other, the determination is made based on the output mode instruction information from the source, and the conversion of the color image pixels into monochrome pixels based on the output mode instruction information and the density information Pixel information conversion means for executing any of the corrections according to a preset standard, and selecting a desired image from the temporary storage means at the time of a request from an image request source, and specifying an output mode by the pixel information conversion means. An image information input device, comprising: an image transfer unit that transfers pixel information converted based on information to an image request source via a network.

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, image input means for inputting an image in advance, input mode instructing means for instructing an input mode at the time of image input by the image input means, Temporary storage means for temporarily storing an input image by the input means, attribute management means for managing attribute information of the image stored in the temporary storage means and input mode instruction information instructed by the input mode instruction means, Based on the attribute information and the input mode instruction information by the attribute management means, the stored image stored in the temporary storage means is selected by the user at the image request source from the stored image with predetermined output mode instruction information. Means for allowing the user to perform the operation, and input mode instruction information and image data by the attribute management means by using the image selected by the selection means. By judging based on the output mode instruction information from the request source, when the instruction contents of the input mode instruction information and the output mode instruction information are different, one of the size conversion and the pixel density conversion based on the output mode instruction information is determined. A pixel density conversion unit that executes in accordance with a preset criterion, and a pixel that is selected based on output mode instruction information by the pixel density conversion unit by selecting a desired image from the temporary storage unit when requested by an image request source. An image information input device comprising: an image transfer unit that transfers information to an image request source via a network.

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above problems, a step of inputting an image in advance, a step of temporarily storing the input image, and a step of managing attribute information of the temporarily stored image Displaying the temporarily stored image at the image requesting source based on the attribute information, thereby allowing a user to select a desired image from the stored images; and Selecting an image selected from the temporarily stored images upon request from the image requester and transferring the selected image to the image requester via a network. Is done.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an office network to which the image information input device and method according to the present invention are applied.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 designates a network scanner according to the present invention.
It is constituted by each means indicated by reference numeral 106.

That is, reference numeral 101 denotes image reading means. Reference numeral 102 denotes a temporary storage unit for temporarily storing an image read by the image reading unit 101.

Reference numeral 103 controls the image reading means 101 and the temporary storage means 102. The image reading means 101 executes image input and transfers the image to the temporary storage means 102 for storage. Image input control means.

Reference numeral 105 denotes an image input operation for controlling an operation panel operated by the user in front of the image input device, and for controlling an image input by judging the instruction and controlling the lower image input control means 103. Means.

Reference numeral 104 denotes the temporary storage unit 1.
02 is an image transfer control unit that controls the network communication unit 112 and transfers the input image to the network and sends it to the request source.

Further, reference numeral 106 denotes the temporary storage means 1
An image attribute management unit that manages image attributes such as a user name, an image size, a reading density, and whether the image is temporarily stored in color or monochrome with respect to the image temporarily stored in the storage unit 02.

Reference numeral 107 denotes a transfer image judging unit for judging a next transfer image based on an image attribute by the image attribute management unit 106 or in accordance with an instruction from a request source.

On the other hand, reference numeral 110 indicates an image requesting device, and the image requesting device 110 is constituted by means indicated by reference numerals 108, 109 and 111.

That is, reference numeral 108 denotes an image reception control unit that controls the network communication unit 112 and the image storage unit 109, receives an image transferred from the network, and stores the image in the image storage unit 109.

Reference numeral 111 denotes an input instruction operating unit for performing an operation of requesting an input unit such as the network scanner device 100 in the network to input an image.

The network scanner 100 and the image requesting device 110 transfer images and exchange various control information via the network communication means 112.
FIG. 2 schematically shows the appearance of the apparatus of the present invention, in which the image input means 200 is used in common by a plurality of input instruction operation means 206.

Both the image input means 200 and the plurality of input instruction operation means 206 are connected via a network 205. Reference numeral 201 in the image input means 200
Is image reading means, and the image reading means 2
01 is controlled by a control board indicated by reference numeral 203.

The control board 203 executes a series of controls by mounting each control means shown in FIG. Reference numeral 202 in the image input means 200 is an operation panel operated by a user, and is used for setting a reading mode,
All operations such as input of a user ID and start of reading execution are performed by this.

Next, each operation and operation contents will be described. First, FIG. 3 shows a screen of an operation panel of the control board 203 controlled by the image input operation means 105.

FIG. 3A shows an initial screen 30 of the operation panel.
0. Here, the image input 301 by the scanner in the initial screen 300 will be described.
As shown in the figure, a copying function by connecting a printer for document copying 302 and a facsimile (FAX) function by connecting to a public line network by document transmission 303 may be installed.

For example, when an image input 301 including a touch panel on the initial screen 300 is instructed, a screen 310 for instructing an image input mode as shown in FIG. 3B is displayed. Here, a user name 311, a reading density 312, and a reading size 31 in a screen 310 for instructing the image input mode are displayed.
3. After instructing the input mode shown in the color or monochrome read original 314, the image input is executed by pressing the start button 320.

Thus, the image input operation means 105
Controls the image input control means 103 to cause the image reading means 101 to execute reading in the designated reading mode, and temporarily stores the read image in the temporary storage means 102.

As described above, when the input is normally completed, the image input operation means 105 controls the image attribute management means 10
6, the reading mode and the user name instructing the reading mode are registered as the image attribute of the image together with the file name of the image stored in the temporary storage unit 102.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the management table 400 managed by the image attribute management means 106. Here, the reading mode 405 includes the reading density 312, the reading size 31
3. A reading mode as indicated by a reading original 314 of color or monochrome.

The image file name 402 is an image file name stored in the temporary storage means 102 in the form of a file. The current pointer 401 is, as a feature of the present invention, an instruction pointer for instructing which image should be transferred when the user of the input image issues a request. Is determined by

The management table 400 further includes an input date 403, a user name 404, an identification code 40
6 are provided. Next, when using this image,
For example, a user wants to use image data in a general application such as a PC, or to add a keyword or the like to a database as a document file and register it, or use a character recognition function (OC) for reusing a document.
R), requests are issued from various applications under various requests.

The image requesting device 110 is, for example, a PC
And the image reception control means 108 and the image storage means 109
Is a control means thereon, and the input instruction operation means 111 indicates the various applications described above.

FIG. 5 shows an input instruction screen 5 from the above various applications by the input instruction operation means 111.
00 is shown. Where the application is
A file edit menu 501 in the input instruction screen 500 is shown, and the image reception control unit 108 is controlled by an image input operation indicated by an arrow, and an image transfer request is issued to the image transfer control unit 104 via the network 112.

In response to this request, the image transfer control means 104 extracts an image from the temporary storage means 102 based on the determination result of the transfer image determination means 107 and transfers it to the image reception control means 108.

The image reception control means 108 receives the data and stores the data in the image storage means 109 based on the application by the input instruction operation means 111.

Next, the transfer image determining means 107 will be described. FIG. 6 shows a detailed block diagram of the transfer image judging means 107. Reference numeral 601 denotes an information exchange unit with the image transfer control unit 104 and the image attribute management unit 106.

Reference numerals 603 to 605 denote determination means. The information exchange unit 601 is kicked by the image transfer control unit 104 when an image request is issued from the image requesting device 110, and
Requesting the image attribute to the user 6 and using the determination means 603 to 605 to determine which image should be selected in accordance with the instruction from the user, updating the current pointer 401 of the image attribute management means 106, and Transfer control means 104
To return.

The image transfer control unit 104 extracts the image file name to which the current pointer 401 is assigned from the image file name 402 in the management table 400 as described above, reads out the image file name from the temporary storage unit 102, and transfers it.

The determining means 603 displays the stored image on the image requesting device 110 to instruct the user to select which image to select, and reflects the result on the current pointer 401.

This can be achieved by providing the image reception control means 108 with the communication transfer means 701 and the image display instruction means 702 as shown in FIG. 7A.

That is, based on the instruction from the determination means 603, the image transfer control means 104 selects an image to be selected from the temporary storage means 102 and selects the image display instruction means 7
02.

The image display instructing means 702 displays images 711 to 717 to be selected on the display screen 710 as shown in FIG. To give instructions.

The communication transfer means 701 notifies the result to the judgment means 603, and the judgment means 603
1, a current pointer 401 of the management table 400 managed by the image attribute management unit 106 is set for the corresponding image.

The application using the input instruction operating means 111 executes the normal image input processing to obtain the image to which the current pointer 401 is assigned.

This indicates that the application by the input instruction operation means 111 can be used extremely conveniently without changing the network scanner used for such sharing.

FIG. 8 shows the internal configuration of the image transfer control means 104. Reference numeral 801 denotes the above-described image transfer control means, which is characterized in that it has means for image processing functions indicated by reference numerals 802 and 803.

Reference numeral 802 denotes pixel information conversion means, and reference numeral 803 denotes pixel density conversion means. Images 711 to 717 by image display instruction means 702 described above
Is preferably a reduced image whose contents can be recognized at a glance, and therefore, it is necessary to convert the size of the original image before sending it to the image display instruction unit 702.

The pixel density conversion means 803 executes this processing. The image transfer control unit 104 has a function of selecting the pixel information conversion unit 802 and the pixel density conversion unit 803 based on the request content from the image request source device 110 and transferring the image while executing the conversion.

Next, the judgment means 604 has a function of automatically selecting an image based on the input time of the image from the input date and time 403 of the management table 400 of the image attribute management means 106.

The selection by the judging means 604 has three criteria. One is the latest, one is the oldest, and one is an image that is automatically selected within a pre-specified period.

One of these three criteria is instructed by a selection criterion selecting means (not shown) prepared separately, and the judging means 604 judges the automatic selection of the image based on the result of the instruction.

For example, when the selection criterion is the latest, when the network scanner device 100 executes image input and attempts to retrieve it from the image requesting device 110,
The determination unit 604 sequentially selects images from the latest input image among the already input images.

On the other hand, when the selection criterion is the oldest, on the contrary, the judging means 604 sequentially selects images from the oldest input images. If the selection criterion is a period, the selection is performed sequentially from the latest or oldest one within the period.

The determination means 605 has a function of identifying and selecting an image designated in advance. In FIG.
Reference numeral 606 denotes identification means for identifying whether the image information is a cover sheet or a document display, and whether a mark designated in advance is added.

In general, OCR, mark reader (OM
R), a bar code reader (BCR) or a combination thereof to perform highly accurate identification.
The function of the identification means 606 may be executed by another server or the like on the network 112.

For example, when an image is input, the judgment means 6
04 immediately executes the identification means 606, determines which of the above corresponds or does not correspond to any of them, and identifies it with the identification code 4 in the management table 400.
06.

The determination means 604 determines that the image requesting device 110
, The current pointer 401 is added to the image. The determination unit 605 determines whether the requested user matches / does not match from the user identifier input at the time of input, and adds the current pointer 401.

The designation by the current pointer 401 can have a flexible structure such as "designated user image", "images other than designated user", "user A and user B". The mode in which image information is inputted in advance by the network scanner device 100 and is later used by the image requesting device 110 as in the present invention greatly improves work efficiency. In some cases, the input mode when inputting by the user does not always match the input mode when using the input mode.

For example, input is made in color, but in a form using the color, monochrome is acceptable, or the pixel density is 600 dp.
i was entered, but in the form that uses it, 100 dpi
But that's enough.

Another feature of the present invention is to have a function of automatically absorbing the difference between the input image and the requested image. As described above, the image transfer control unit 104
Has a function as shown in FIG.

The pixel information conversion means 802 has the following functions. (1) A function of extracting a luminance component of a color image composed of a plurality of pits and converting it into a monochrome image.

(2) Function of giving a color according to the density of a monochrome image. (3) A function of converting a gray scale pixel into a dither or error diffusion image. (4) A function of converting a gray scale color pixel into a dither or error diffusion color pixel.

On the other hand, the pixel density conversion means 803 converts the pixel density from 600 dpi to 300 dpi or 300 dpi.
i is changed to 400 dpi, and the pixel density is converted in accordance with the instruction of the device 110 which has requested the image.

The image transfer control means 801 compares the required specification relating to the image attribute from the image requesting device 110 with the attribute of the corresponding image stored in the temporary storage means 102, and if conversion is necessary, The image which has been subjected to the conversion process using the pixel information conversion unit 802 and / or the pixel density conversion unit 803 is transferred to the image requesting apparatus 110.

According to the above embodiment of the present invention,
A shared image input device connected via a network can provide not only the same usability as a separately connected local scanner, but also variously convert preceding input images and convert images used for various applications into one time. It is possible to input by inputting, and it is possible to realize an image information input device and a method which are much more convenient than before.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. The present invention includes the following image information input apparatus and method. (1) Image input means for pre-inputting an image, temporary storage means for temporarily storing an input image by the image input means,
An attribute management unit that manages attribute information of the image stored in the temporary storage unit; and a stored image stored in the temporary storage unit that is displayed at an image request source based on the attribute information by the attribute management unit. A selection means for allowing a user to select a desired image from stored images, and an image selected by the selection means selected from the temporary storage means at the time of a request from an image request source to request an image. An image information input device comprising: an image transfer unit that transfers the image information via a network.

(2) Image input means for inputting an image in advance, temporary storage means for temporarily storing an image input by the image input means, and time information when the image stored in the temporary storage means is input is managed. An attribute management unit, and a selection that allows a user to select a desired image from the stored images at the image request source based on the time information from the attribute management unit based on the stored image stored in the temporary storage unit. Means, and the image selected by the selection means is determined based on the time information by the attribute management means, so that the image is selected from the temporary storage means at the time of a request from the image request source and transmitted to the image request source via the network. An image information input device comprising: an image transfer unit for transferring.

(3) Image input means for inputting an image in advance, temporary storage means for temporarily storing an image input by the image input means, and time information when the image stored in the temporary storage means is input is managed. An attribute management unit, and a selection that allows a user to select a desired image from the stored images at the image request source based on the time information from the attribute management unit based on the stored image stored in the temporary storage unit. Means, the input time of the image selected by the selection means based on the time information by the attribute management means, the latest, the oldest, by determining any of the specified time range according to a preset standard, Image transfer means for selecting from the temporary storage means at the time of a request from an image request source and transferring the selected image to the image request source via a network. Image information input device.

(4) Image input means for inputting an image in advance, document identification means for identifying the type of a document for each input image information from the input image information by the image input means, and input image by the image input means Temporary storage means for temporarily storing; attribute management means for managing the attribute information of the image stored in the temporary storage means and the type information of the document identified and processed by the document identification means; Selecting means for permitting a user to select a desired image from stored images based on attribute information and document type information by the attribute management means, and By determining the selected image based on the document type information by the attribute management unit, the temporary storage unit can be used at the time of the request from the image request source. Ri image information input device comprising a selection to be provided with the image transfer means for transferring via a network to an image request source.

(5) Image input means for inputting an image in advance, document identification means for identifying the type of a document for each input image information from the input image information by the image input means, and input image by the image input means Temporary storage means for temporarily storing; attribute management means for managing the attribute information of the image stored in the temporary storage means and the type information of the document identified and processed by the document identification means; Selecting means for permitting a user to select a desired image from stored images based on attribute information and document type information by the attribute management means, and Based on the document type information by the attribute management means, the selected image is displayed on the selected image as a cover sheet, a cover, or a document with a specific mark. And an image transfer unit that selects from the temporary storage unit and transfers to the image request source via a network when a request is made from the image request source by determining any of the above according to a preset standard. Image information input device.

(6) Image input means for inputting an image in advance, input person identification means for identifying an input person at the time of image input by the image input means for each input image information, and input image by the image input means. Temporary storage means for temporarily storing; attribute management means for managing the attribute information of the image stored in the temporary storage means and the identification information of the input person identified and processed by the input person identification means; Selecting means for allowing a user to select a desired image from stored images based on the attribute information by the attribute management means and the identification information of the input person, and By judging the image selected by the selection means based on the identification information of the input person by the attribute management means, the temporary storage means can be used upon request from the image request source. Image information input device, characterized in that provided with the image transfer means for transferring via a network to an image request source and more selective.

(7) Image input means for inputting an image in advance, input mode instructing means for instructing an input mode at the time of image input by the image input means, and temporary storage means for temporarily storing an input image by the image input means Attribute management means for managing the attribute information of the image stored in the temporary storage means and the input mode instruction information instructed by the input mode instruction means; and storing the stored image stored in the temporary storage means. Selecting means for allowing a user at the image request source to select a desired image from stored images with predetermined output mode instruction information based on the attribute information and the input mode instruction information by the attribute management means; Based on the input mode instruction information by the attribute management unit and the output mode instruction information from the image request source. The pixel information converting means for converting the pixel information based on the output mode instruction information when the instruction contents of the input mode instruction information and the output mode instruction information are different from each other, and the temporary storage means upon request from an image request source. An image transfer unit that selects a desired image and transfers the pixel information as pixel information converted by the pixel information conversion unit based on the output mode instruction information to an image request source via a network. Input device.

(8) Image input means for inputting an image in advance, input mode instructing means for instructing an input mode at the time of image input by the image input means, and temporary storage means for temporarily storing an input image by the image input means Attribute management means for managing the attribute information of the image stored in the temporary storage means and the input mode instruction information instructed by the input mode instruction means; and storing the stored image stored in the temporary storage means. Selecting means for allowing a user at the image request source to select a desired image from stored images with predetermined output mode instruction information based on the attribute information and the input mode instruction information by the attribute management means; Based on the input mode instruction information by the attribute management unit and the output mode instruction information from the image request source. When the instruction contents of the input mode instruction information and the output mode instruction information are different, one of the conversion of the color image pixels into the monochrome pixels and the correction of the density information is set in advance based on the output mode instruction information. Pixel information conversion means to be executed in accordance with the criterion, and a desired image selected from the temporary storage means at the time of a request from an image request source, and the pixel information converted by the pixel information conversion means based on the output mode instruction information. An image information input device, comprising: an image transfer unit that transfers a request to the request source via a network.

(9) Image input means for inputting an image in advance, input mode instructing means for instructing an input mode at the time of image input by the image input means, and temporary storage means for temporarily storing an input image by the image input means Attribute management means for managing the attribute information of the image stored in the temporary storage means and the input mode instruction information instructed by the input mode instruction means; and storing the stored image stored in the temporary storage means. Selecting means for allowing a user at the image request source to select a desired image from stored images with predetermined output mode instruction information based on the attribute information and the input mode instruction information by the attribute management means; Based on the input mode instruction information by the attribute management unit and the output mode instruction information from the image request source. When the input mode instruction information and the output mode instruction information are different from each other, the pixel density conversion that executes one of the size conversion and the pixel density conversion based on the output mode instruction information according to a preset reference. Means for selecting a desired image from the temporary storage means at the time of a request from the image request source and transferring the selected image to the image request source via the network as pixel information converted based on the output mode instruction information by the pixel density conversion means An image information input device, comprising:

(10) a step of inputting an image in advance;
Temporarily storing the input image, managing the attribute information of the temporarily stored image, and displaying the temporarily stored already stored image at an image request source based on the attribute information. Allowing the user to select a desired image from the stored images, and selecting the image selected by the user from the temporarily stored images upon request from the image request source to request the image. And transmitting the image information via a network.

[0085]

Therefore, as described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a shared scanner connected to a network with an operating environment equivalent to or higher than that of a locally connected scanner. An image information input apparatus and method that satisfies the needs in applications handling a large number of images / documents such as inputting image information into a database or reusing as a document by using a scanner as a working in an office. Can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an office network to which an image information input device and method according to the present invention are applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the appearance of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a screen of an operation panel of a control board 203 controlled by an image input operation means 105.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management table 400 managed by the image attribute management unit 106.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an input instruction screen 500 from the above various applications by the input instruction operation means 111;
It is a figure showing the example of.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing details of the transfer image determination unit 107.

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an example in which an image reception control unit is provided with a communication transfer unit 701 and an image display instruction unit 702;
FIG. 7B shows an example in which an image 7 to be selected is displayed on the display screen 710 by the image display instructing means 702.
It is a figure which shows the example which makes a user instruct | indicate by arrow 718 as shown by displaying 11-717.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an image transfer control unit 104;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Network scanner apparatus, 101 ... Image reading means, 102 ... Temporary storage means, 103 ... Image input control means, 104 ... Image transfer control means, 105 ... Image input operation means, 106 ... Image attribute management means, 107 ... Transfer image Determination means 108 image reception control means 109 image storage means 110 image requesting device 111 input instruction operation means 112 network communication means 200 image input means 201 image reading means 202 .., Operation panel, 203, control board, 205, network, 206, input instruction operation means, 601, information exchange means, 603-605, determination means, 606, identification means, 701, communication transfer means, 702, image display instruction means 802: Pixel information conversion means 803: Pixel density conversion means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI H04N 1/21 H04N 1/32 Z 1/32 G06F 15/403 1/46 H04N 1/46 C

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An image input means for inputting an image in advance, a temporary storage means for temporarily storing an image input by the image input means, and an attribute management means for managing attribute information of an image stored in the temporary storage means. Displaying the stored image stored in the temporary storage means at the image request source based on the attribute information by the attribute management means, thereby allowing the user to select a desired image from the stored images. And an image transfer unit that selects the image selected by the selection unit from the temporary storage unit when requested by the image request source and transfers the selected image to the image request source via a network. Image information input device. 2. An image input unit for inputting an image in advance, a temporary storage unit for temporarily storing an image input by the image input unit, and an attribute for managing time information when the image stored in the temporary storage unit is input. Management means; and selection means for allowing a user to select a desired image from the stored images at the image request source based on the time information by the attribute management means, for the stored images stored in the temporary storage means. By determining the image selected by the selection means based on the time information by the attribute management means, the image is selected from the temporary storage means at the time of a request from the image request source and transferred to the image request source via the network. An image information input device, comprising: 3. An image input unit for inputting an image in advance, a temporary storage unit for temporarily storing an image input by the image input unit, and an attribute for managing time information when the image stored in the temporary storage unit is input. Management means; and selection means for allowing a user to select a desired image from the stored images at the image request source based on the time information by the attribute management means, for the stored images stored in the temporary storage means. Based on the time information by the attribute management means, the image selected by the selection means has the latest, oldest,
By determining any of the designated time ranges according to a preset reference, an image transfer unit that selects from the temporary storage unit and transfers to the image request source via the network when requested from the image request source, An image information input device comprising: 4. An image input unit for inputting an image in advance, a document identification unit for identifying a type of a document for each input image information from the input image information by the image input unit, and a temporary input image by the image input unit. Temporary storage means for storing, attribute management means for managing the attribute information of the image stored in the temporary storage means and the type information of the document identified and processed by the document identification means, and stored in the temporary storage means. Selecting means for allowing a user at the image request source to select a desired image from stored images based on the attribute information and the type information of the document by the attribute management means; The determined image is determined on the basis of document type information by the attribute management means, so that the temporary storage means Selected and the image information input device, characterized in that provided with the, image transfer means for transferring via a network to an image request source. 5. An image input unit for inputting an image in advance, a document identification unit for identifying a type of a document for each input image information from the input image information by the image input unit, and temporarily storing an input image by the image input unit. Temporary storage means for storing, attribute management means for managing the attribute information of the image stored in the temporary storage means and the type information of the document identified and processed by the document identification means, and stored in the temporary storage means. Selecting means for allowing a user at the image request source to select a desired image from stored images based on the attribute information and the type information of the document by the attribute management means; The classified image is classified into a cover sheet, a cover, and a document in which a specific mark is added based on the document type information by the attribute management unit. Image transfer means for selecting one from the temporary storage means at the time of a request from an image request source and transferring the selected image to the image request source via a network by judging either one according to a preset standard. Image information input device. 6. An image input means for preliminarily inputting an image, an input person identification means for identifying an input person at the time of image input by the image input means for each input image information, and temporarily storing an input image by the image input means. Temporary storage means for storing; attribute management means for managing the attribute information of the image stored in the temporary storage means and the identification information of the input person identified by the input person identification means; and storing in the temporary storage means. Selecting means for allowing the user to select a desired image from the stored images based on the attribute information by the attribute management means and the identification information of the input person by the attribute management means; Determining the image selected by the means on the basis of the identification information of the input person by the attribute management means, so that the temporary storage means can be provided upon request from an image request source. Ri selected and the image information input device, characterized in that provided with the, image transfer means for transferring via a network to an image request source. 7. Image input means for inputting an image in advance, input mode instructing means for instructing an input mode at the time of image input by the image input means, and temporary storage means for temporarily storing an input image by the image input means. Attribute management means for managing the attribute information of the image stored in the temporary storage means and the input mode instruction information instructed by the input mode instruction means, and the stored image stored in the temporary storage means Selecting means for allowing the user at the image request source to select a desired image from the stored images with predetermined output mode instruction information based on the attribute information and the input mode instruction information by the attribute management means; The selected image is determined based on the input mode instruction information from the attribute management unit and the output mode instruction information from the image request source. A pixel information conversion unit that converts pixel information based on the output mode instruction information when the instruction contents of the input mode instruction information and the output mode instruction information are different from each other; Image transfer means for selecting an image and transferring the image information as a pixel information converted based on the output mode instruction information by the pixel information conversion means to an image request source via a network;
An image information input device comprising: 8. An image input means for inputting an image in advance, an input mode instruction means for instructing an input mode at the time of image input by the image input means, and a temporary storage means for temporarily storing an input image by the image input means. Attribute management means for managing the attribute information of the image stored in the temporary storage means and the input mode instruction information instructed by the input mode instruction means, and the stored image stored in the temporary storage means Selecting means for allowing the user at the image request source to select a desired image from the stored images with predetermined output mode instruction information based on the attribute information and the input mode instruction information by the attribute management means; The selected image is determined based on the input mode instruction information from the attribute management unit and the output mode instruction information from the image request source. By doing so, when the instruction contents of the input mode instruction information and the output mode instruction information are different, one of the conversion of the color image pixel into the monochrome pixel and the correction of the density information is set in advance based on the output mode instruction information. A pixel information conversion unit that executes in accordance with a criterion, and selects a desired image from the temporary storage unit at the time of a request from an image request source, and requests the image information as pixel information converted based on the output mode instruction information by the pixel information conversion unit. An image transfer means for transferring the original via a network,
An image information input device comprising: 9. An image input means for inputting an image in advance, an input mode instruction means for instructing an input mode at the time of image input by the image input means, and a temporary storage means for temporarily storing an input image by the image input means. Attribute management means for managing the attribute information of the image stored in the temporary storage means and the input mode instruction information instructed by the input mode instruction means, and the stored image stored in the temporary storage means Selecting means for allowing the user at the image request source to select a desired image from the stored images with predetermined output mode instruction information based on the attribute information and the input mode instruction information by the attribute management means; The selected image is determined based on the input mode instruction information from the attribute management unit and the output mode instruction information from the image request source. By, size conversion on the basis of the output mode indication information when the instruction content of the input mode indication information and the output mode instruction information is different,
A pixel density conversion means for executing any one of the pixel density conversions in accordance with a preset standard; and a desired image selected from the temporary storage means upon request from an image request source, and an output mode selected by the pixel density conversion means. Image transfer means for transferring the pixel information converted based on the instruction information to the image request source via the network,
An image information input device comprising: 10. A step of inputting an image in advance, a step of temporarily storing the input image, a step of managing attribute information of the temporarily stored image, and a step of Displaying the image at the image requesting source based on the attribute information to allow the user to select a desired image from the stored images; and displaying the image selected by the user at the time of the request from the image requesting source. Selecting from the temporarily stored images and transferring them to an image request source via a network.